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  •  » TKO 500

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    11/03/2021 1:23 PM  #1

    Mach173
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    From: Sweden
    Registered: 8/08/2018
    Posts: 186

    TKO 500

    Hi
    Quick question I have the chance to buy an TKO Tremec 500 thats now behind FE390  . 10 splines input shaft and 31 splines output, Will this fit with 351c just changing the bellhousing ? Is the input shaft correct length ?
    Tremec TKO 500 TCET 4615AD 
    Of course I need a clutch etc

    Regards Rob

    Last edited by Mach173 (11/03/2021 1:24 PM)

     

    11/03/2021 1:54 PM  #2

    6sally6
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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
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    Re: TKO 500

    Not sure butt................
    isn't the Cleveland(385 series) and the FE bellhousings... interchangable?
    I think yes!
    6sally6

    Edit:.........Looks like I was TOTALLY WORNG on this 'un!  Sorry..........
    Glad somebody else had some better info.

    Rich(Red 351) would prolly know....he's big into Cleveland stuff

    Last edited by 6sally6 (11/03/2021 6:53 PM)

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    11/03/2021 1:59 PM  #3

    Mach173
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    Re: TKO 500

    6sally6 wrote:

    Not sure butt................
    isn't the Cleveland(385 series) and the FE bellhousings... interchangable?
    I think yes!
    6sally6

    Great Thanks

       •Thread Starter
     

    11/03/2021 2:38 PM  #4

    lowercasesteve
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    From: Auburn, Ca
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: TKO 500

    I know that Cleveland and Windsor bells have the same shape and are interchangeable.   FE's are different.  Also the input spline count is different (10 vs 12) and the input shaft may be longer too.  I do not know about the output shaft.

    A big block clutch disk might solve the spline count problem.

    You need to get the trannies out and compare to make sure exactly what you have.

    Last edited by lowercasesteve (11/03/2021 2:40 PM)

    Original owner - 351w,T-5, 4whl disks, power R&P
     

    11/03/2021 2:47 PM  #5

    TKOPerformance
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    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
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    Re: TKO 500

    I would call Bob Hanlon at Hanlon Motorsports.  My guess is he knows the answer to this off the top of his head and if you need parts to make the conversion probably has them in stock.  610-469-2695

    As an FYI, 10 spline input shafts are notoriously weak.  If you're going to have to swap the input anyway I would go to a 26 spline.  If that Cleveland makes a lot of torque I'd be particularly concerned.  Without traction you may well never break it, but while its out why take a chance? 

     

    11/03/2021 3:47 PM  #6

    Texas!
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    Re: TKO 500

    The 351C has the same bellhousing pattern as the 289/302/351W. The 351M/400 have the 429/460 bellhousing pattern IIRC, No other engine family had the same bellhousing pattern as the FE.
    The transmission input shaft on the FE is shorter than the 289/302/351C/351W input shaft. There is a special extra length crankshaft pilot bushing that will allow the short FE input shaft transmission to be used behind a SBF.

     

    11/03/2021 5:46 PM  #7

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
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    Re: TKO 500

    6sally6 wrote:

    Not sure butt................
    isn't the Cleveland(385 series) and the FE bellhousings... interchangable?
    I think yes!
    6sally6

    No!!!

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    11/03/2021 6:22 PM  #8

    boss347convertible
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    Re: TKO 500

    Texas! wrote:

    The 351C has the same bellhousing pattern as the 289/302/351W. The 351M/400 have the 429/460 bellhousing pattern IIRC, No other engine family had the same bellhousing pattern as the FE.
    The transmission input shaft on the FE is shorter than the 289/302/351C/351W input shaft. There is a special extra length crankshaft pilot bushing that will allow the short FE input shaft transmission to be used behind a SBF.

    True, a stock TKO input shaft is too long for the FE bellhousing.  Years ago, I put a TKO behind a 427 FE and had to replace the stock input shaft with a short input shaft. Very easy to replace your short input shaft with a stock input shaft so why not go that route? This weekend I will look for that stock input shaft that has been sitting for twenty years and if I can find it, you can have it.

     

    11/04/2021 12:49 AM  #9

    Mach173
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    Re: TKO 500

    Okay Thanks all for input, Il will get the TKO saturday. Il be back with some info on this :-)

    Thanks all again

       •Thread Starter
     

    11/04/2021 4:56 AM  #10

    TKOPerformance
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    From: Newark, DE
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    Re: TKO 500

    Another thing worth noting is you may find the way it shifts objectionable.  They require a very positive shifting style and the synchros are slow by modern standards.  If you find that's not to your liking contact Bob and get some carbon lined synchro rings.  With the better rings they shift like a T5/T56. 

     

    11/04/2021 5:08 AM  #11

    Bolted to Floor
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    From: Houston, Texas
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    Re: TKO 500

    What was the motor and tranny in?
    Take a tape measure with you. FE’s in a Mustang had a shallower bell housing than a trucks or some other Ford cars by 7/16”. “Most” TKO’s come with the longer input shaft that match all the small block stuff. Some guys would swap to the shorter shaft for a Mustang. Others opted for a a different bell housing.

    Will the shifter mount come up in the floor where you need it?

    John  -- 67 Mustang Coupe 390 5 speed
     

    11/04/2021 6:37 AM  #12

    Mach173
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    Registered: 8/08/2018
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    Re: TKO 500

    Il will change the syncrings, the shifter position is movable. It will be fine. It was behind a 67 with 390 FE engine. Il porbably change the input shaft for 26 splines version. More updates when I pick ut the tranny :-)

       •Thread Starter
     

    11/04/2021 8:17 AM  #13

    Steve69
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    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: TKO 500

    boss347convertible wrote:

    Texas! wrote:

    The 351C has the same bellhousing pattern as the 289/302/351W. The 351M/400 have the 429/460 bellhousing pattern IIRC, No other engine family had the same bellhousing pattern as the FE.
    The transmission input shaft on the FE is shorter than the 289/302/351C/351W input shaft. There is a special extra length crankshaft pilot bushing that will allow the short FE input shaft transmission to be used behind a SBF.

    True, a stock TKO input shaft is too long for the FE bellhousing.  Years ago, I put a TKO behind a 427 FE and had to replace the stock input shaft with a short input shaft. Very easy to replace your short input shaft with a stock input shaft so why not go that route? This weekend I will look for that stock input shaft that has been sitting for twenty years and if I can find it, you can have it.

    Im pretty sure Modern Driveline sells an adapter plate for this.  


     

     

    11/07/2021 11:38 PM  #14

    Mach173
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    Re: TKO 500

    Well its apart, everything looked good. 3rd syncring was slipping a bit.

    Last edited by Mach173 (11/07/2021 11:39 PM)

       •Thread Starter
     

    11/08/2021 6:14 AM  #15

    TKOPerformance
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    From: Newark, DE
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    Re: TKO 500

    Really look at the engagement teeth on the speed gears (where the slider engages the gear).  If you find some that are rounded off or beat up replace the gear.  Those teeth are important in engagement, but also in holding the slider on the gear.  When they get munched up the slider can kick back off the gear when you let off the throttle.  They get damaged from guys jamming the trans into gear on fast shifts.

    You rarely find anything broken in a Tremec.  They use big, strong parts made from good steel, and a case that's almost flex proof. 

     

    11/09/2021 12:59 AM  #16

    Mach173
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    From: Sweden
    Registered: 8/08/2018
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    Re: TKO 500

    TKOPerformance wrote:

    Really look at the engagement teeth on the speed gears (where the slider engages the gear).  If you find some that are rounded off or beat up replace the gear.  Those teeth are important in engagement, but also in holding the slider on the gear.  When they get munched up the slider can kick back off the gear when you let off the throttle.  They get damaged from guys jamming the trans into gear on fast shifts.

    You rarely find anything broken in a Tremec.  They use big, strong parts made from good steel, and a case that's almost flex proof. 

    Thanks for the heads up , Il check it :-)
     

       •Thread Starter
     

     

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